Surfing Helmet: Recreational and Professional

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are exemplary methods for reducing or preventing skull injury, the method comprising covering a human skull above all of or a first portion of a squamous temporal bone. Methods may also include covering the human skull with a first layer of material that reduces or prevents the first layer of material from contacting or impacting all of or a first portion of the squamous temporal bone. The first layer of material may be connected to a device or apparatus for supporting the first layer of material above or in close proximity to the all of or the first portion of the squamous temporal bone. Additionally, the method may include comprising covering the human skull above all of or a second portion of a squamous temporal bone.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to recreational and professional surfing helmets.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described in the Detailed Description below. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Provided herein are exemplary methods for reducing or preventing skull injury, the method comprising covering a human skull above all of or a first portion of a squamous temporal bone. Methods may also include covering the human skull with a first layer of material that reduces or prevents the first layer of material from contacting or impacting all of or a first portion of the squamous temporal bone. The first layer of material may be connected to a device or apparatus for supporting the first layer of material above or in close proximity to the all of or the first portion of the squamous temporal bone. Additionally, the method may include comprising covering the human skull above all of or a second portion of a squamous temporal bone.

In other exemplary embodiments, the method may include covering the human skull with a second layer of material that reduces or prevents the second layer of material from contacting or impacting all of or the second portion of the squamous temporal bone. The second layer of material may be connected to the device or apparatus for supporting the second layer of material above or in close proximity to the all of or the second portion of the squamous temporal bone. The first layer of material and the second layer of material may form a single layer of material. In addition, any of or all of the following may be provided: a chin strap, ear protection, a perforated cover, scalp protection, cross member struts, forehead protection, orbit protection, a peaked forehead design, an integrated camera mount, an integrated electroluminescent wire channel, a power supply mount, and an electroluminescent wire.

In other exemplary embodiments, a device or apparatus may include a first layer of material that reduces or prevents the first layer of material from contacting or impacting all of or a first portion of the squamous temporal bone, a second layer of material that reduces or prevents the second layer of material from contacting or impacting all of or the second portion of the squamous temporal bone, and the first and second layers of material connected to the device or apparatus. The device or apparatus may also include providing any of or all of: a chin strap, ear protection, a perforated cover, scalp protection, cross member struts, forehead protection, orbit protection, a peaked forehead design, an integrated camera mount, an integrated electroluminescent wire channel, a power supply mount, and an electroluminescent wire.

Also provided herein are exemplary methods of making a means for reducing or preventing skull injury, the method including assembling a means for reducing or preventing contact or impact of all of or a first portion of a squamous temporal bone, a means for reducing or preventing contact or impact of all of or a second portion of a squamous temporal bone, at least one means for ear protection, a means for scalp protection, a means for forehead protection, a means for orbit protection, a means for mounting a camera, a means for electroluminescence, a means for power supply, a means for supporting the power supply, and a means for contact with a human chin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed disclosure, and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an exemplary recreational surfing helmet.

FIG. 2 shows a frontal view of an exemplary recreational surfing helmet.

FIG. 3 shows a view of the inner surface of the helmet.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of an exemplary professional surfing helmet.

FIG. 5 shows a frontal view of an exemplary professional surfing helmet.

FIG. 6 shows human skull anatomy.

FIG. 7 shows human skull anatomy.

FIG. 8 shows human skull anatomy, including the left temporal bone.

FIG. 9 shows a frontal view of an exemplary helmet with a lighting means.

FIG. 10 shows an upper frontal view of an exemplary helmet with the peaked forehead design for forehead/orbit protection.

FIG. 11 shows an upper view of an exemplary helmet with the peaked forehead design for forehead/orbit protection (at top of photo).

FIG. 12 shows an upper view of an exemplary helmet from behind.

FIG. 13 shows a frontal view of an exemplary helmet with the peaked forehead design for forehead/orbit protection, including a lighting means.

FIG. 14 shows an upper view of an exemplary helmet with the peaked forehead design for forehead/orbit protection (at top of photo), including a power source.

FIG. 15 shows an upper view of an exemplary helmet with the peaked forehead design for forehead/orbit protection.

FIG. 16 shows a rear view of an exemplary helmet with the peaked forehead design for forehead/orbit protection, including a mounting means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shown at block diagram form only in order to avoid obscuring the disclosure.

Head injuries are the leading cause of death and disability in the population of the United States under 45 years of age. In order to reduce the incidence of head injuries in recreational sports, many participants now wear protective headgear.

Surfing is a watersport of increasing popularity. Estimates of the world wide surfing population vary from 5 (Surf Industry Manufacturers Association) to 23 million (International Surfing Association). Head injuries account for 20-40% of all surfing injuries and are responsible for a significant proportion of fatalities and up to 30% of lacerations and fractures occur in the head and face region. In spite of this few surfers (8%) wear protective headgear and injuries are more common in competitive surfing (6.6 injuries/1000 hours) than recreational surfing (3.5/1000 hours).

Surfers do not perceive the risk of head injury as being high and more than 50% of surfers feel that the benefit of wearing headgear is low. Yet head and facial injuries account for up to 40% of all surfing related injuries. Helmet use can prevent most surfing related head trauma but current designs are not regarded as “cool” and surfers as a group are minimalists and “less is more”.

In addition, the current surfing helmet designs do not provide coverage of the thinnest part of the skull, the squamous temporal bone just above and in front of the ear. In this region the bone can be 1-3 mm. thick under the temporalis muscle and small surface area high force impacts can cause fractures of this bone, lacerating the middle meningeal artery or vein, which can produce a fatal epidural hematoma. In such cases the trauma causes a concussion or brief loss of consciousness followed by a lucid interval during which time the epidural blood accumulates leading to drowsiness, coma and death when unrecognized. The inventor has cared for two such patients.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an exemplary recreational surfing helmet. Shown in FIG. 1 are: camera mounting bracket 1, high density plastic tubing 2, perforated ear protection 3 anterior diagonal side protection 4, cross members 5, chin strap 6, EL wire battery supply holder 7, and grooves for EL wire 8.

FIG. 2 shows a frontal view of an exemplary recreational surfing helmet. Shown in FIG. 2 are: camera mounting bracket 1, high density plastic tubing 2, anterior diagonal side protection 4, cross members 5, and chin strap 6.

FIG. 3 shows a view of the inner surface of the helmet. Shown in FIG. 3 are: H-shaped air cushion pads 300, interconnecting tubing for the H-shaped air cushion pads 305, and air insufflation nipple 310.

The padding system uses air insufflation and interconnecting tubing allows for even distribution of inflation of H-shaped pads. Degree of insufflation provides comfort and custom cushion fit for individual wearers. Air insufflation also adds buoyancy to helmet when submerged.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of an exemplary professional surfing helmet. Shown in FIG. 4 are: camera mounting bracket 1, carbon fiber slats 2, perforated ear protection 3, anterior diagonal side protection 4, cross members 5, chin strap 6, EL wire battery supply holder 7, and grooves for EL wire 8.

FIG. 5 shows a frontal view of an exemplary professional surfing helmet. Shown in FIG. 5 are: camera mounting bracket 1, carbon fiber slats 2, anterior diagonal side protection 4, cross members 6, chin strap 6, and grooves for EL wire 8.

According to some exemplary embodiments, each model (i.e., recreational and professional) has the same design features but with the use of different materials. The former may be constructed using clear or colored high-density polyethylene plastic, while the latter may be constructed of lighter, stronger carbon fiber composites. Both designs incorporate an open, front to back rib construction with interposed cross members to provide additional rigidity and protection. This open format design allows water to flow through the helmet preventing drag or the effect of “water braking” that is seen with closed format construction.

Front and rear diagonal struts in various exemplary embodiments provide protection for the squamous temporal bone. While helmet use in surfers would provide substantial benefit to the wearer in terms of head injury, there are other added benefits. Exposure of the ear to wind and sun is the cause of “surfers ear” and skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. “Surfers ear” is a common condition of the external ear canal in long term surfers and relates to chronic wind, cold exposure resulting in bony exostoses which close the external canal and produce conductive hearing loss and otitis media. Basal cell carcinoma is a low grade malignancy due to chronic sun exposure and is the most common sun induced skin cancer in surfers. Melanoma is a high grade malignancy related to sun exposure and is less common. Both kinds of skin cancer can be prevented by limiting sun (ultraviolet) exposure.

According to various exemplary embodiments, the helmet design incorporates a perforated ear cover 3 (e.g., FIG. 1, FIG. 4) that reduces wind exposure. Moreover, it reduces sun exposure and changes of skin tumors (e.g., basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and/or melanoma) and it reduces surfer's ear, which is a bony overgrowth in the ear canal from cold and wind exposure. After a wipe-out, head injuries from the surfer's board or someone else's board is relatively common and the buoyancy of the board keeps it up at the surface directed often right at the head of any surfer who is in its path. Surfing related head and scalp injuries are most often caused by the surfer's own board (55%), the ocean floor (18%) or another board (11%). Amongst board related injuries, lacerations of the scalp account for 17% and most of these (41%) are related to the surfboard fins.

The helmet design in various exemplary embodiments incorporates a front to back rib design with intervening struts for structural rigidity as well as scalp protection form laceration by board fins or the ocean floor. Lacerations of the forehead and around the orbit of the eye are relatively common injuries in surfers. Common causes are impacts with the fins, nose or rail of the board.

The helmet design incorporates in various exemplary embodiments an integrated camera mount. According to various exemplary embodiments, the helmet design incorporates integrated electroluminescent wire channels and a power supply mount. Electroluminescent wire (EL wire) is a thin copper wire coated in a phosphor which glows when an alternating current (AC) is applied to it. EL wire produces a 360 degree unbroken line of visible light in a variety of colors. Its thin diameter makes it flexible and the small battery supply required makes it ideal for illuminating small recreational or personal devices. Several hundred feet of EL wire can be powered by AA batteries for several hours. The luminescence provided by EL wire provides an additional safety feature in surf helmets by increasing visibility of the wearer to others.

FIGS. 6-8 shows human skull anatomy, while FIG. 8 shows human skull anatomy, including the left temporal bone. The squamous temporal bone of the skull is only 2-3 mm. thick and is susceptible to fracture with a small surface area, high force impact such as can be incurred with the tip of the surfboard. Various exemplary embodiments of the invention provide protection of the squamous temporal bone (fracture), forehead (lacerations), scalp (lacerations), ears (sun/wind exposure) and skull and are directed toward reducing and preventing fatal and non-fatal injuries.

FIG. 9 shows a frontal view of an exemplary helmet with a lighting means 900.

FIG. 10 shows an upper frontal view of an exemplary helmet with the peaked forehead design 1000 for forehead/orbit protection. Also shown is lighting means 900 (FIG. 9) and power source 1405 (FIG. 14).

FIG. 11 shows an upper view of an exemplary helmet with the peaked forehead design 1000 (FIG. 10) for forehead/orbit protection (at top of photo). According to various exemplary embodiments, the helmet design incorporates peaked forehead design for forehead/orbit protection.

FIG. 12 shows an upper view of an exemplary helmet from behind.

FIG. 13 shows a frontal view of an exemplary helmet with the peaked forehead design 1000 (FIG. 10) for forehead/orbit protection, including a lighting means 900 (FIG. 9).

FIG. 14 shows an upper view of an exemplary helmet with the peaked forehead design 1000 (FIG. 10) for forehead/orbit protection (at top of photo), including a power source 1405.

FIG. 15 shows an upper view of an exemplary helmet with the peaked forehead design 1000 (FIG. 10) for forehead/orbit protection (at top of photo), including a lighting means 900 (FIG. 9) and a power source 1405 (FIG. 14).

FIG. 16 shows a rear view of an exemplary helmet, including a power source 1405 (FIG. 14).

While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. The descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the technology to the particular forms set forth herein. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the above description is illustrative and not restrictive. To the contrary, the present descriptions are intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the technology as defined by the appended claims and otherwise appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

The scope of the technology should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for reducing or preventing skull injury, the method comprising covering a human skull above all of or a first portion of a squamous temporal bone.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising covering the human skull with a first layer of material that reduces or prevents the first layer of material from contacting or impacting all of or a first portion of the squamous temporal bone.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the first layer of material connected to a device or apparatus for supporting the first layer of material above or in close proximity to the all of or the first portion of the squamous temporal bone.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising covering the human skull above all of or a second portion of a squamous temporal bone.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising covering the human skull with a second layer of material that reduces or prevents the second layer of material from contacting or impacting all of or the second portion of the squamous temporal bone.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the second layer of material connected to the device or apparatus for supporting the second layer of material above or in close proximity to the all of or the second portion of the squamous temporal bone.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the first layer of material and the second layer of material forming a single layer of material.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing any of or all of: a chin strap, ear protection, a perforated cover, scalp protection, cross member struts, forehead protection, orbit protection, a peaked forehead design, an integrated camera mount, an integrated electroluminescent wire channel, a power supply mount, and an electroluminescent wire.
 9. A device or apparatus comprising: a first layer of material that reduces or prevents the first layer of material from contacting or impacting all of or a first portion of the squamous temporal bone; a second layer of material that reduces or prevents the second layer of material from contacting or impacting all of or the second portion of the squamous temporal bone; and the first and second layers of material connected to the device or apparatus.
 10. The device or apparatus of claim 9, further comprising providing any of or all of: a chin strap, ear protection, a perforated cover, scalp protection, cross member struts, forehead protection, orbit protection, a peaked forehead design, art integrated camera mount, an integrated electroluminescent wire channel, a power supply mount, and an electroluminescent wire.
 11. A method of making a means for reducing or preventing skull injury, the method comprising assembling: a means for reducing or preventing contact or impact of all of or a first portion of a squamous temporal bone; a means for reducing or preventing contact or impact of all of or a second portion of a squamous temporal bone; at least one means for ear protection; a means for scalp protection; a means for forehead protection; a means for orbit protection; a means for mounting a camera; a means for electroluminescence; a means for power supply; a means for supporting the power supply; a means for contact with a human chin; a means for supporting all or some of the above means, the means for supporting on or in close proximity to a human skull; and wherein at least one means substitutes or functions for at least one other means. 